Curtains are down on one of the oldest English newspapers in Goa. While several loose jobs due to the closure, other press and electronic media news agencies are also on a termination spree. Goan Express stands with all the affected scribes and demands for justice for the fourth pillar of the democracy.
A news channel has removed atleast 10 of their old staff while another channel has converted their entire reporting staff in to free lance, per story basis staff. Almost all the staff of newspapers have been forced to accept 30 to 40 percent wage cuts. The Journalists in almost all the agencies are on a tight rope walk. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant had assured Goa Government sets up a CONTROL ROOM to register the Grievances/Complaints of workers/employees who are affected by way of termination/ retrenchment/non-payment of salaries/wages in light of COVI D-19 pandemic. Sadly even after the fact that retrenchment is in public domain there seems to be no action or objection by the Government or responsible authorities. Some journalists have lost their salaries to the tune of 40% while others are fearing loss of jobs later. The Journalists are dying a silent death fighting on the frontline of the Covid-19 opearations.
